Yield To Me

by Richards, Tory

  “Please be there!” she whispered desperately as it rang. She kept her worried gaze on the doorway praying Brent was a heavy sleeper. The tenderness and consideration she’d found in his arms didn’t fool her into thinking he wouldn’t be furious if he caught her jeopardizing his plans. She was about to give up when finally on the fourth ring she heard an all-too-familiar voice.

  “Who is this?”

  Knowing her father and his moods very well, the gruff tone of his voice indicated he was preoccupied and probably knee-deep in work. In addition, he hated interruptions. Very few people had his private number and it usually meant some kind of crisis when they used it. Sophie was only thankful he hadn’t changed the number as he’d threatened to do a hundred times.

  “This better be good,” he warned.

  “Dad, it’s me!” She wasn’t expecting the long pause that followed. Maybe hearing her voice caused him to go into shock. “Are you all right?” she asked with concern.

  “Sophie?” Am I imagining the surprised hesitancy in his tone? “I don’t have much time to explain. I…”

  “How…what…how…”

  He was uncharacteristically stumbling over his words but she was too preoccupied with worry that Brent would walk into the room at any second to question it. “Dad, listen, I don’t know how much time I have. I just wanted to let you know that I’m okay.” She turned her back to the doorway so her voice wouldn’t carry.

  “Well.” He cleared his throat. “I’m glad to hear that, dear. I’ve been worried sick. Ah, where are you?” He seemed to have pulled himself together quickly. “Do you know what’s going on?”

  Sophie frowned at his odd question. “What do you mean? Other than I’ve been kidnapped, no, and I don’t know where I am either except on a boat somewhere…”

  She let out a startled shriek when the phone was suddenly snatched out of her hand, swinging around in time to see Brent slam it closed. He looked mad enough to kill; his sharp expression carved in granite. A muscle flicked angrily in his jaw but it was the look in his eyes, one of disappointment and regret that confused and frightened Sophie. She moistened her dry lips, suddenly wishing there were some place she could run, somewhere safe. Her hand went to her throat, nervously clutching the opened collar of her shirt.

  “I-I…”

  “Save it,” he growled, his eyes snapping with anger. “I don’t know why I thought you were any different, but deceit and trickery seems to be a common female trait. You didn’t waste any time, letting me fuck you so I’d let my guard down.”

  Sophie’s eyes rounded. She didn’t know why it should matter but she didn’t want Brent thinking that about her. “That’s not why I…”

  “Who was that?”

  Sophie hesitated. Either he hadn’t heard enough to know she’d been talking to her father, or he was testing her. Maybe he wanted to see if she’d answer him honestly. Instincts told her she’d fare better if she told him the truth. It might gain her some advantage later on.

  “My father.” She paused, taking a shaky breath.

  Brent kept his stare narrowed on her, frightening her with the intensity. A line of attack she was certain was meant to remind her who the boss was.

  “I had to let him know I was okay,” she said in her defense, doubting he would understand.

  She was trapped between him and the only way out. There was nowhere for her to go anyway, but she felt compelled to retreat a few steps back. In spite of being convinced he was about to dish out some kind of punishment, Sophie’s gaze moved over his disheveled hair and the faint scratches lining his muscular chest. The sight reminded her of their recent lovemaking.

  Her gaze returned to his mouth. His lips were pressed tight and white, revealing his irritation, yet Sophie couldn’t help recalling how sensuously soft they’d been against hers.

  For as long as she lived she’d never forget what it felt like experiencing her first toe-curling kiss. The kind her high school friends had talked about during lunchtime, and sworn they’d all experienced. Though she instinctively knew there was no way their encounters could hold a candle to the heaven she found in Brent’s strong embrace.

  She felt heat spread over her body. Made worse by the way Brent’s gaze shifted down her body, stripping what little she had on, off. Realizing she’d buttoned her shirt in a hurry, she reached up to make sure she was decent. Satisfied with what she found, she ran her hands through her hair.

  “Who else did you call?”

  “No one else,” Sophie replied softly.

  He arched a brow; tightening his mouth, more if that were possible. “Not even Lord?”

  Sophie shook her head. He would be the last one I’d call.

  “I’m surprised he wasn’t first on your list. Considering how much you love him, right?”

  About as much as I love snakes. She held back from answering, wondering if he was testing her. Was he worried he wouldn’t get as much ransom if their match weren’t made because of earth-shattering love? If Brent was as money hungry as Jonathan was power hungry, they were a well-matched pair.

  Without warning, Brent reached for her hand, his gaze zeroing in on her bare finger. She tried to pull away. “Where’s the rock?” he demanded.

  “It’s in the nightstand drawer back at your apartment.” She tried again to pull her hand away, but he tightened his hold. For a moment there was a brief struggle as each tried to overpower the other. Sophie hissed in frustration. “Why do you care?”

  He practically threw her hand back in her face. “Just why the hell are you marrying him?” He crossed his arms, arching a brow arrogantly.

  Sophie didn’t like the sudden look that came into Brent’s eyes. She’d seen that speculative gleam in her father’s eyes many times, shrewd and determined. A ruthless politician when he had to be. He would cut out the middleman quickly, when he could get the job done better and faster. She wondered what that particular look meant on Brent.

  The only person who had a right to ask her such a thing was her father and so far, thank God, he hadn’t. Sophie supposed she should thank her lucky stars he hadn’t because lying had never come easy to her. Although now, staring into Brent’s quiet watchful eyes, another one easily passed through her lips.

  “I told you, I love him.” The words sounded shallow and false even to her ears.

  Brent snorted. “You love him? That’s priceless! Is that why you let me fuck you? Or are you just a spoiled, rich little whor—”

  She reacted without thinking, slapping him across the face as hard as she could and cutting off the ugly word he’d been about to say. Tears sprang instantly to her eyes. She didn’t want him thinking that of her. She’d given herself to him because there was something about him that drew her. Something she instinctively knew she’d never find again.

  It felt as though a fist squeezed around her heart. Sophie turned her back to him, determined to pull herself together. Telling Brent the truth would only open up the door to more questions and she didn’t want that. After all, she was the victim. What was he complaining about? He’d kidnapped her and slept with her and in the end; he would get paid for it.

  Huh! That was rich.

  She wiped angrily at the tears running down her cheeks, fighting back a sob that managed to escape anyway. The image of them fucking was fresh in her mind; she’d given Brent all she had to give, and it had been real.

  Behind her she heard him release a low curse. “Hell, maybe I deserved that.”

  “That and more,” she agreed without facing him, her angry tone giving her away. She’d never slapped a man before. There were times when she’d wanted to hit Jonathan but she’d refused to reveal her frustration by lashing out at him. Besides, he purposely baited her and she came out the victor by not responding.

  She jumped when Brent’s cell phone rang, but she didn’t turn around. She glanced at a folder on the countertop. She hadn’t noticed it before now. The corner of a glossy picture was clearly visible, and Sophie’s curiosity
got the better of her. Listening to Brent’s voice in the background as he barked into the receiver, her hand dropped to the counter.

  “Now’s not a good time!” She heard him growl, close behind her. Too close. Then she heard the sound of his phone snapping shut. Sophie knew she had to make a grab for the picture now if she wanted to see what it was.

  “Was that your partner in crime?” Her fingers inched ever closer to the corner of it.

  “You might say that,” he responded in a low, even tone. Suddenly she felt his hand curling around her upper arm, drawing her away from the table and toward him. Gasping, Sophie automatically put her hands against his bare chest as if to fend him off.

  “Don’t,” she gasped, straining away from him as much as his hold would allow. The flesh beneath her palm was hot and molded like a bronze statue.

  He ignored her. “You can’t be trusted. I should lock you in the bathroom for your little stunt,” he threatened.

  Which one? Sophie assumed he was talking about the phone call. She tried to ignore the pull of his masculine scent. “You would have done the same thing,” she fired back, straining away from him. “What did you expect?”

  “Are we talking about the hot and heavy sex or the sneaky phone call?” He jerked her closer against him. “Less than a few hours ago you were wild in my arms, eager for my hands and mouth on you. Now your back is up, and you’re acting like a frightened virgin.”

  “What do you think?” Her whispered words hung in the air between them. The fire in Brent’s eyes fueled her anger. He had a nerve being angry; she was the one being held against her will. “This is a new experience for me. As the saying goes, I’m flying by the seat of my pants.”

  He raised a brow. “Really, it didn’t take you very long to realize that fucking your abductor might switch things in your favor. I guess it only proves that women are alike. When all else fails, use your body to get what you want.”

  The urge to hit him again crossed Sophie’s mind. Instead, she shrugged. “If that’s what you want to think.”

  She could tell her lackluster response angered him. His eyes turned into volcanic glass, the hand on her arm squeezed until she gasped with mild pain. He loosened his grip immediately, but he didn’t release her. “Well, then, I might as well take advantage of some free sex, while waiting for my ransom demands to be met.”

  Alarm raced through Sophie, because his words sparked her desire. “Take your hands off me!” she demanded, fear at the meaning behind his comment causing her heart to skip a beat. He slowly pulled her closer. She saw the hunger fill his eyes, before he glanced at her mouth. “You’re not married, are you?”

  Her question caught him totally off-guard and he jerked back as if she’d bit him. His gaze narrowed on her with suspicion. “No. There’s no one,” he replied. “Why?”

  How can I answer that without revealing I care about his answer? “I just wanted to know if you’re a faithful man.” She lowered her lashes, which was a mistake when all it did was bring his bare chest into view. The scratches her nails had inflicted were fading proof of the lust they’d shared.

  “Like you’re faithful to Lord?” he threw back at her.

  She bristled, glaring up at him with heated emotion. “That’s different.” How can I explain what I’m feeling? How can I be unfaithful to a man I don’t even love?

  “Different?” Brent barked, cutting her off. “Don’t you dare try and say I forced myself on you again, lady,” he continued in a harsh voice, his eyes impaling her.

  “I wasn’t about to.” Sophie met his abrupt anger head on. “What I meant was…” She hesitated, wondering if she could even put into words what she meant without revealing her situation with Jonathan.

  “Yes?” He gave her a little squeeze to regain her attention. “I’m very interested in your explanation.”

  She slowly lowered her face, realizing she’d backed herself into a corner and sensing Brent wouldn’t give up. “I simply meant that some men don’t think it’s a big deal two-timing the women they love.”

  “And you think men have a monopoly on that?” Brent laughed scornfully. “I have news for you, princess; there are a lot of women out there who enjoy sex with anything they can get their hands on.”

  The bitterness reflected in his tone caught her unaware. She raised her gaze in time to see the shadow of deep disappointment on his expression before he had a chance to mask it. In that split second Sophie knew someone had hurt Brent deeply. “I’m sorry if someone hurt you.”

  “Don’t feel sorry for me, princess; you’re the one stuck with a cold-hearted bastard without feelings other than those south of his belt.”

  “Leave Jonathan out of this!” she spat without thinking. He seemed to know Jonathan so well, making her wonder if her abduction was the result of a personal vendetta rather than for financial gain.

  The silence that followed was unnerving, yet Sophie couldn’t look away from the piercing directness of his eyes. They delved deeply into hers, as though searching the secrets of her very soul. She wondered what she’d said or done to cause such a stony expression to settle on his face.

  “I was talking about myself,” he finally admitted, watching her closely.

  Sophie’s mouth dropped when she realized her mistake. Though by then it was too late, she couldn’t take back what she’d said.

  “Is that the kind of man Lord is?”

  “That’s none of your business. I think this conversation has gone on long enough.” She felt her face grow warm beneath Brent’s watchful stare. The silence that met her statement was interrupted by the hunger rolling in her belly. She tried to pull away and for a moment their bodies moved against each other intimately. Brushing up against the hard muscles in his thighs reminded her of how powerful he was.

  She knew she was fighting a losing battle and it didn’t take much for Brent to subdue her by bringing her arms around her back, pinning them there with his large hands. She bit down on her lip, hoping to hold the tears of frustration at bay. “I’m hungry.” Sophie prayed he thought her trembling was out of fear, and not the renewed desire flowing through her traitorous body. Her watery gaze swung up to his.

  The smoldering look in Brent’s eyes brought a whole new meaning to the word hunger. “I’m hungry too.” Sophie sensed it wasn’t for food. He surprised her by releasing her. “I think you’d better remember what the situation is and go back to the bedroom. Making love with me gained you nothing.”

  For a moment, she thought about ignoring his comment. His gaze remained glued to hers, silently demanding that she do his bidding. If she thought she could win the battle, she’d defy him. Only Sophie knew if she pushed Brent into putting his hands on her again it would lead to a repeat of what they’d shared in the bedroom. And that would be a dangerous road to travel again.

  She tossed her hair, sending the thick mane behind her shoulders. At that moment, she saw her reflection in Brent’s eyes. Saw how vulnerable she looked, how frightened, yet strong, and determined. Is that what he saw, too?

  “I admire your spirit, princess. But now isn’t the time to test me.”

  Sophie stood her ground another moment before turning and walking calmly away.

  Before she revealed how spirited she was and kissed him.

  Chapter 15

  Brent stepped into the doorway to watch Sophie walk down the narrow hallway to the bedroom. It crossed his mind that she really was afraid of the water, but he wasn’t ready to trust her. She’d proven more resourceful than her father led him to believe, and he wasn’t about to take her for granted again. He thought about their conversation. He’d wanted to push her into anger so she’d slip up and reveal something about Lord. Well, she was angry now, and crying too, if the sniffling he heard was anything to go on.

  His mouth twisted into a tight grimace. He was a bastard, especially for accusing her of fucking him for her own gains. Waking and finding her gone had led him to draw his own conclusions. He’d tried to convince
himself that she was just another Connie, spoiled, rotten and used to getting what she wanted, no matter whom she hurt along the way. Not averse to using her body to wear a man down.

  Connie had done that, after sucking him in so deep that he hadn’t seen the signals until the damage had been done. Her seductive sophistication had clouded his judgment. She’d taken in his family too. It had been tough dumping a woman everyone loved, but that was his fault for not telling them the truth. It had been easier letting them believe he just wasn’t ready to settle down yet.

  As Sophie disappeared into the bedroom Brent realized no matter how much he compared them, he knew in his gut she was different. Instincts told him she’d never sink so low as to sleep with a man to get what she wanted from him. Finding her on the phone had angered and disappointed him. He’d been too rough on her, but for a reason. A real kidnapper wouldn’t give a damn whether he hurt his victim or not.

  His cellular rang, severing the silence. Brent flipped it open, brought it to his ear, and turned from the doorway. “Yeah?”

  “What the hell is going on?”

  Recognizing the senator’s aggravated voice caused his mouth to lift with humor. He’d been expecting his call back, and was a little surprised it had taken him this long. Senator Adams didn’t like surprises; he liked things mapped out and to go according to plan. “Everything’s under control.” He didn’t bother to elaborate.

  “Is it? I almost had heart failure when I heard Sophie’s voice. How the hell did she get the phone away from you?”

  Brent chose to ignore that question. “Don’t worry, she’s alive and kicking. Have any news for me?”

  “Not yet. Whatever Lord has he had to dig deep. Sophie let it slip she’s on a boat somewhere. Would that be yours?”

  “Yep.” Brent thought about her fear when she first realized where he’d brought her. He was beginning to hate what they were doing to her. She wasn’t exactly terrified of her situation, as she had been in the beginning, and he was very curious as to why.